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4 Major Market Opportunities For The Cannabis Industry

Cowen analysts recently published an in-depth valuation of key players in the cannabis industry drawing from historical data and market trend.

The valuation includes an outline of the potential market opportunity for the cannabis sector beyond legalization in Canada next week. Cowen’s Vivien Azer named four consumer verticals she expects the cannabis sector to touch.

1. Adult Use

Cannabis is becoming a more widely accepted social substitute to alcohol, a trend proven by declining reported alcohol use and increasing cannabis use incidence among college-age adults, Azer said in the note. (See her track record here.)

“Early evidence would suggest that access to both medical and adult use cannabis can have negative implications for alcohol sales. A 2017 study from the University of Connecticut and Georgia State University found that counties located in medical marijuana states saw a 13-percent reduction in total alcohol (12 percent for beer) sales in the first two years post-legalization.”

Other potential participants in the sector include Anheuser BuschBUD 0.05% and Diageo Plc.DEO 1.46%, Azer said.

2. Beauty And Nutraceuticals

“Health and wellness consumers are beginning to find value and use cases from CBD-based oil extracts/tinctures, topicals and capsules to improve everyday life. We expect to see CBD used as a functional ingredient in non-alcoholic beverages,” Azer said.

Earlier this year, Aurora Cannabis Inc.ACBFF 8.23% announced plans to establish a partnership with Evio Beauty. The two will collaborate to develop a line of co-branded hemp seed oil cosmetics, in addition to CBD-infused cosmetics.

3. Over-The-Counter Pain, Sleep Remedies

Azer considers this sector to have high incidence levels among young adults who struggle with effective pain management and insomnia. Cronos Ground Inc.CRON 8.95% announced a joint medical study with Aleafia Health Inc. (TSXV: ALEF) to create products used to treat insomnia and daytime sleepiness.

4. Pharmaceutical

“Today there is an ever-expanding array of use cases for cannabis as a form of treatment for chronic and severe conditions, shown through increased clinical trials, patents and international acceptance through medical cannabis legalization,” Azer said.

Medical cannabis company Aphria Inc.APHQF 2.98% provides cannabis oils for patients and health care professionals. The products are intended to combat an array of different ailments and pain management necessities.

Elizabeth Richey, MD

Elizabeth Richey, MD
Elizabeth Richey is an author, and student who approves articles and then published them on our website to the MJN viewership.
Her qualifications include a degree in international policy and medicine.
Always refer to a qualified doctor before using marijuana to treat an ailment.